Power shovel



M r h 31, 1959 A. G. mi 2,879,611

POWER SHOVEL v Filed Jan. 31, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ALBERT G. VOIGT AWOEAZY Mar ch31, 195 9 A. G. VVOIGT 2,879,611

POWER SHOVEL' Filed Jan. 31, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

- ALBERT G. VOIGT I BY I ATTOEAE'I March 1959 A. G. VOIGT 2,879,611

POWER SHOVEL s Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 31, 1958 INVENTOR. ALBERT G. VOIGT blade and handle are shown in collapsed .dotted lines.

United States POWER SHOVEL Albert G. Voigt, Clifton,.N.J.

Application January 31, 1958, Serial No. 712,387

10 Claims. (.Cl. 3750) -which will be characterized by its compactnesg-itsrelatively low cost,'its simplicity of design, and its efficiency of operation.

Amore specific object is to provide means, in a-device of the character stated, which will facilitate folding of ordinarily projecting portions 'thereof for storage of "the device in a minimum amount of floorspace. Thus, the device is particularly designed for use by the householder,

or by the custodians of small office buildings, apartment houses, etc., where space may be at a-premiumso-far as the storage of equipment is concerned.

A further object of importance is to providea device as stated, the design of which will providefor a particularly effective, braced mounting of the blade of the device, intended to insure to the maximum extent against breakdowns.

Still anotherobject is to-provide a connection 'between the handle and-blade which will-result in the'mentioned components being conjointly swingable upwardly and downwardly about parallel axes. This arrangement not only facilitates storage, by folding of the handle 'and blade to upwardly projecting positionsjbut also, one may rmove thefhandle upwardly or downwardlywhile-guiding "thedevice, 'for'the purpose of adjusting the elevation of "the'blade ,while the'machine is in operation.

*Forfurther comprehension of the invention, and ,of the objects ,and advantages thereof, reference will 'be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, and to 'the appended claims in which the various novel "features of the "forth.

invention are more particularly set In the accompanying drawingsforming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a self-propelled snow; plow according to the present invention.

Fig. 2'is a sideelevational view'thereof in which th P sitions .in

Fig. ,3 is an enlarged .longitudinal sectional .view through .the device. substantially on line ,33 of Fig. 1,

.the handle and blade assemblies-beingshown fragmen tarily,.in .full line .and dotted positions in theirgoperative and folded, positions respectively.

Fig. =4 is an enlarged perspective view ofithe .zblade .assemblyxper. se, :a-portion being ,broken away.

Fig. 5 is anenlarged'perspective view :of the handle assembly per se.

Fig. 6-is a view onthe samescale as Fig. 3,-ta-ken 'substantia'lly on line 6-6ofFig. 1.

atent O i 2,879,611 Patented Mar. 31, 1959 2 showing the connections of the blade support arms at one end of the blade.

Referring to the drawings in detail, designated gen-- erally at 10 is the self-propelled snow plow constituting the present invention. This includes a plurality of main components or assemblies, which may be readily identified, generally, as a rollable frame structure 12, a propulsion and drive assembly 14, a blade assembly 16, and a handle assembly 18.

Considering first the construction of the frame structure 12, this includes a generally rectangular, horizontally disposed base plate 20, from the opposite sides of which depend transversely aligned bearings 22 in which is journa'lled a transversely extending drive shamt 24, to the opposite ends of which are secured road wheels 26, for rotation with shafts 24. Projecting rearwardly from and rigidly secured to the plate 20, medially between opposite sides of said plate, is a horizontally disposed bearing plate 28 in which is journalled, for rotation about a vertical axis, a shaft 30 having a rearwardly project- 'ing bifurcated bearing 32 at its lower end in which is would be selected, to be such as to drive the device forwardly, against therestraint of the snow being moved.

In any event, a suitable speed-reducing driving'lin'kage extends between the prime mover ,36 and the drive shaft 24. Said speedereducing linkage can be designed to include a suitable reducing gear train, but in .any

event, the speed is reduced sufficiently to permit the movement of the device in a forward direction at a speed sufficiently slow to permit it to be accurately controlled. Further, although one is not shown, a clutching mechanism can be embodied in the linkage, to permit ,the forward movement only when the clutch is engaged. Still further, a suitable throttle means, capable of remote control, isillustrated onlydiagrammaticallyflin the device, including apivoted arm 38, mounted upon-the handle assembly '18, to which arm is connected a flexible cable 40, connected to a throttle control arm 42 of the prime mover 36. A clutch can, of course, also be provided, controlled from a location adjacent the grip of the handle assembly.

Inthe illustrated example, rotatable with the shaft .44 ofthe motor (see Fig. 3) is a small drive pulley 46, about which is trained a belt 48, that extends downwardly through a slot 50 formed in plate 20, said slot '50being disposed adjacent the motor and extending in a fore-andaft direction. Belt 48 is trained about a'large diameter pulley 52 projecting upwardly through slot 50 but disposedmainly below the base plate. Pulley 52 is connected to a transversely extending jackshaft 54 disposed 'rearwardly from andparallel to the drive shaft 24. Jack- Fig. "7 is an=en1arged, fragmentaryperspective'vicw shaft 54 is journalled in bearings 56 see Fig. 6) depending from and secured to the base plate 20, and. connected to the shaft 54 for rotationtherewith is a small transmission pulley 58 about which is trained a'belt 60 extending forwardly with its upper flight projecting through a slot 62 formed in plate 20. Slot 62 opens upon the forward edge ,of the plate .20, with the belt 60 being trained about a large pulley 64 connected to shaft 24 for rotation therewith.

Referring now to the blade assembly 16, this includes an elongated blade 66, which is disposed transversely of ,the snow plow, as shown in Fig. l, in a position oblique tothe length of the snow plow. Thus, the bladeis obliquely disposed in respect to the path of movement of the structure, so that snow scooped up by the blade or scoop 66 will be caused to move'toward the trailing end of the blade and laterally outwardly from the blade through said trailing end.

The scoop 66 is inclined rearwardly upwardly from its leading edge 68, with the scoop having a transverse configuration such that it is bowed rearwardly, producing a forwardly concave, snow-contacting face 70 thereon. At its upper edge, scoop 66 is formed with a forwardly, downwardly projecting lip or overhang 72 which is progressively reduced in width as at 74 in a direction from its midlen gth point toward its opposite ends. Fixedly secured to the back surface of the scoop 66, adjacent the opposite ends thereof, are sockets 76, 78 (see Figs. 1 and 4), and fixedly engaged in said sockets are the forward ends of support arms 80, 82 respectively of the blade assembly, the arm 80 being substantially greater in length than the arm 82. The rear ends of the arms are transversely aligned, on a line perpendicular .to the lengths of the arms, and are engaged in sockets 84, 86 (see'Fig. 4) welded to and projecting forwardly from the peripheries of gear segments 88, 90, having transversely aligned center openings 92, 94 receiving a shaft 96, that is fixedly engaged in the center openings, so as to cause conjoint rotation of the gear segments. Shaft 96 is journalled adjacent its opposite ends in upwardly projecting bearings 98, that are fixedly mounted upon the base plate 20.

Bracing the blade structure is a diagonally extending brace arm 100, one end of which is fixedly engaged in a socket 102 that is fixedly secured to the socket 76 in oblique relation to said socket 76. The other end of the arm 100 is similarly engaged in a socket 104, that is rigid with the socket 86, and extends obliquely to the length of said socket 86.

By reason of this arrangement, a strong blade structure is provided, wherein the scoop is supported at the forward ends of arms that are rigid with gear segments, said gear segments being rotatable about a horizontal, transversely extending axis to permit the blade assembly to swing through substantially 90 between the full and dotted line positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring now to the handle assembly 18, this includes side rails 106, the forward ends of which are engaged in rearwardly projecting sockets 108 fixedly secured to gear segments 110, each of which is of approximately quadrantal shape. Gear segments 110 have transversely aligned openings 112, receiving stub shafts 114 that are journalled (see Fig. 3) in upwardly projecting bearings 116 fixedly mounted upon plate 20. The gear segments 110 are in mesh with the corresponding segments 88, 90, so that when the blade assembly swings to its dotted line position, the gears will rotate in opposite directions as shown by the arrows in Fig. 3, causing the handle assembly 18 to swing to an upwardly projecting, vertical position.

At their rear ends, side rails 106 are rigid with a transverselyextending 'bight portion or connecting arm 118, which passes through a tubular, exteriorly roughened grip 120 formed of soft rubber or the like.

By reason of the arrangement illustrated, it will be apparent that as the device moves along, the operator of the device may raise or lower the blade, by effecting a corresponding movement of the handle. Thus, if the operator desires to first take off a portion only of a layer of snow, as he might desire to do in the event there is a layer of ice at the bottom of the snow, he can elevate the blade above the ground surface. Then, a second path can be made, with a blade lowered to a greater degree for the purpose of removing the coating of ice.

Due to this arrangement, there will be full control of the elevation of the blade, responsive merely to raising and lowering of the handle. Ordinarily, of course, the handle is lowered to an extent sufiicient to maintain the blade in full contact with the surface from which the snow is being removed.

When the device is not in use, one need merely swing the handle assembly upwardly to its maximum extent, so as to cause corresponding upward swinging of the blade assembly, to the dotted line positions shown in Fig. 3, whereby the device can be stored in a floor space no greater than that required by the rollable frame structure itself.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A snow plow comprising a rollable frame structure, a blade assembly, and a handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by the frame structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on'the frame structure for swinging movement between a substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operative position and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handle assembly also being pivoted on the frame structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative position in which the handle structure extends rearwardly up wardly at an incline from the frame structure, and an inoperative position in which the handle assembly projects substantially vertically upwardly from the frame struc ture, said assemblies being connected for conjoint swinging movement between their operative and inoperative positions, the connection between the assemblies including gears on the respective assemblies in mesh with one another, whereby upward swinging movement of one assembly will cause upward swinging movement of the other assembly.

2. A snow plow comprising a rollable frame structure, a blade assembly, and a handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by the frame structure, the blade assembly I positions, the connection between the assemblies including gears 'onthe respective assemblies in mesh with one another, whereby upward swinging movement of one assembly will cause upward swinging movement of the other assembly, said gears being arranged in pairs, each assembly including a pair of transversely aligned gears.

3. A snow plow comprising a rollable frame structure, a blade assembly, and a handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by the frame structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on the frame structure for swinging movement between a substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operativeposition and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handle assembly also being pivoted on the frame structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative position in which the handle structure extends rearwardly up wardly at an incline from the frame structure, and an inoperative position in which the handle assembly projects substantially vertically upwardly from the frame structure, said assemblies being connected for conjoint swinging movement between their operative and inoperative positions, the connection between the assemblies including gears on the respective assemblies in mesh with one another, whereby upward swinging movement of one assemaszeen' bly will; cause upward swinging movement of the other assembly, said gears being arranged; in pairs, each assembly.- including a pair of transversely aligned gears, the gears of each pair being rotatably supported upon the frame structure with the axis of rotation of; the gears of each pair comprising the; pivot axis of the assembly on which the pairis mounted.

4. A snow plow comprising a rollable frame structure, a blade assembly, and a handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by the frame, structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on the frame. structure for; swinging move ment between a. substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operative position, and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the. handle as-. sembly also. being pivoted on the frame, structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative, position in which the handle, structure extends; rearwardly" up,- wardly, at an incline from the frame; Structure, and, an inoperative position in which the,handle,assemblyprojects substantially vertically upwardly from, the frame structure, said assembliesbeing connected for conjoint swinging, movement between their operative and inoperative positions, the connectionbetween the assemblies-including gearsonthe respective assemblies in meshwith one. another, whereby upward swinging movement ofone assembly will cause upward: swinging movement ofthe other assembly, said gears being arranged impairs, each assembly including a pair of transversely, aligned gears, the gears of each pair being rotatably supported upon the a e tructure; th he xi io tm a iont z h -s s of each pair comprising the pivot axis of the assembly on which the pair is mounted, the blade assembly including apair, of gear segmentsconstituting the;gears of. the. blade assembly; 7.

5. A snow plow comprisinga rollable frame structure, a blade assembly, anda handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by. the frame 7 structure, the blade, assembly being pivoted on the frame structure for swinging movement between a substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operative position and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handle assembly also being pivoted on the frame structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative position in which the handle structure extends rearwardly upwardly at an incline from the frame structure, and an inoperative position in which the handle assembly projects substantially vertically upwardly from the frame structure, said assemblies being connected for conjoint swinging movement between their operative and inoperative positions, the connection between the assemblies including gears on the respective assemblies in mesh with one another, whereby upward swinging movement of one assembly will cause upward swinging movement of the other assembly, said gears being arranged in pairs, each assembly including a pair of transversely aligned gears, the gears of each pair being rotatably supported upon the frame structure with the axis of rotation of the gears of each pair comprising the pivot axis of the assembly on which the pair is mounted, the blade assembly including a pair of gear segments constituting the gears of the blade assembly, the handle assembly including a pair of gear segments constituting the gears of the handle assembly.

6. A snow plow comprising a rollable frame structure, a blade assembly, and a handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by the frame structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on the frame structure for swinging movement between a substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operative position and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handle assembly also being pivoted on the frame structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative position in which the handle structure extends rearwardly upwardly at an incline from the frame structure, and an inoperative position in which the handle assembly projects substantially vertically upwardly from the frame structure, saidasse'mblies being: connected for conjoint swinging movement, between, their operative and inoperative. positions, the. connection between the; assemblies including gears, on the respective assemblies, in mesh. with 4 one another, whereby upward swingingmovementi of; one assembly will cause upward swinging movement ofthe assembly, the handle; assembly including a: pair: of side rails, hav ng forward ends, fixedly connected: to the gears of the handle assembly.

7;. A snow-plow comprisi a. rollable frame structure, ablade; assembly, and a handle assembly), said assemblies beingcarried by! the; frame structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on the frame structure. for swinging move..- ment between a substantially horizontaL, forwardly pro,- jecting, operative position: and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handleassembly also being; pivote 1 on the frame; structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an; operative position in which the handle; structure, extends, rearwardly upwardly at an incline,- from the frame structure, and an inoperative position, inwhich, the: handle; assembly: pro: jects substantially vertically upwardly from the frame structure, said assem lies beingv connected for conjoint swinging movement between theiroperativee and inoperative- Positions, the connectionibetween the assemblies; including gears on, the respective: assemblies in, mesh; with one another;v whereby, upward; swinging; movement; ofzone assembly.- will cause; upward swinging; movement: of:- the other; assembly, said;- gears being arranged in; pairs, each assembly including a pairof transversely aligned gears,

the gears of each pair being rotatably supported upon the frame structure with the axis of rotation of the gears of each pair comprising the pivot axis of the assembly on which the pair is mounted, the blade assembly including a pair of gear segments constituting the gears of the blade assembly, the handle assembly including a pair of side rails having forward ends fixedly connected to the gears of the handle assembly, said side rails having a connection between their rear ends providing a hand grip.

8. A snow plow comprising a rollable frame structure;

a blade assembly, and a handle assembly, said'assemblies being carried by the frame structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on the frame structure for swinging movement between a substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operative position and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handle assembly also being pivoted on the frame structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative position in which the handle structure extends rearwardly upwardly at an incline from the frame structure, and an inoperative position in which the handle assembly projects substantially vertically upwardly from theframestructure, said assemblies being connected for conjoint swinging movement between their operative and inoperative positions, the connection between the assemblies including gears on the respective assemblies in mesh with one another, whereby upward swinging movement of one assembly will cause upward swinging movement of the other assembly, said gears being arranged in pairs, each assembly including a pair of transversely aligned gears, the gears of each pair being rotatably supported upon the frame structure with the axis of rotation of the gears of eachpair comprising the pivot axis of the assembly on which the pair is mounted, the blade assembly including a pair of gear segments constituting the gears of the blade assembly, the blade assembly including a scoop disposed obliquely to the path of movement of the snow plow,

A snow plowcomprising a rollable frame structure, ablade assembly, and a handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by the frame structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on the frame structure for swinging movement between a substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operative position and a substantially vertical, upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handle assembly also being pivoted on the frame structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative position in which the handle structure extends rearwardly upwardly at an incline from the frame structure, and an inoperative position in which the handle assembly projects substantially vertically upwardly from the frame structureysaid assemblies being connected for conjoint swinging movement between their operative and inoperative positions, the connection between'the assemblies including gears on the respective assemblies in mesh with -one another, whereby upward swinging movement of one assembly will cause upward swinging movement of the other assembly, said gears being arranged in pairs, each assembly including a pair of transversely aligned gears, the gears of each pair being rotatably supported upon the frame structure with the axis of rotation of the gears of each pair comprising the pivot axis of the assembly on which the pair is mounted, the blade assembly including a pair of gear segments constituting the gears of the blade assembly, the blade assembly including a scoop disposed obliquely to the path of movement of the snow plow, and

additionally including support arms for said scoop, said support arms having rear ends connected to the gears of the blade assembly.

10. A snow plow comprising a reliable frame structure, a blade assembly, and a handle assembly, said assemblies being carried by the frame structure, the blade assembly being pivoted on the frame structure for swinging movement between a substantially horizontal, forwardly projecting, operative position and a substantially vertical,

upwardly projecting, inoperative position, the handle assembly also being pivoted on the frame structure, said handle assembly pivoting between an operative position in which the handle structure extends rearwardly up? wardly at an incline from the frame structure, and an inoperative position in which the handle assembly projects substantially vertically upwardly from the frame structure, said assemblies being connected for conjoint swinging movement between their operative and inoperative positions, the connection between the assemblies including gears on the respective assemblies in mesh with one another, whereby upward swinging movement of one assembly will cause upward swinging movement of the other assembly, said gears being arranged in pairs, each assembly including a pair of transversely aligned gears, the gears of each pair being rotatably supported upon the frame'structure with the axis ofrotation of the gears of each pair comprising the pivot axis of the assembly on which the pair is mounted, the blade assembly including a pair of gear segments constituting the gears of the blade assembly, the blade assembly including a scoop disposed obliquely'to the path of movement of the snow plow, and additionally including support arms for said scoop, said support arms having rear ends connected to the gears of the blade assembly, said blade assembly further including a diagonally disposed brace connected between the forward end of one support arm and the rear end of the other support arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 236,655 Van Vleet -s Jan. 11, 1881 2,513,230 Bourne et al. June 27, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 333,739 Germany Mar. 4, 1921 

